Peripheral seal for a flexible display device

ABSTRACT

A foldable touch screen display device with a flexible display made up of segments that can be folded from a compact state to an expanded state which also includes a peripheral enclosure mechanism. The peripheral enclosure mechanism can be automatically repositioned to rotate out of a channel as the device is being folded in such a way that it can close the gap at the sides of the device between two flexible display segments when the device is fully configured to a folded state. The device may further include sensors to indicate the state of configuration and mechanisms for alignment, locking, and further structural support. In one embodiment, a module attached to, situated within, or otherwise associated with at least one segment of the flexible display or rigid display may contain all or substantially all processing and memory, along with a communications system, which may be used in any state.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.18/106,186, filed Feb. 6, 2023 and titled “PERIPHERAL ENCLOSUREMECHANISM FOR A FLEXIBLE DISPLAY DEVICE” which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 17/214,623, filed on Mar. 6, 2021 and titled“PERIPHERAL ENCLOSURE MECHANISM FOR A FLEXIBLE DISPLAY DEVICE” whichclaims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No.63/001,227, filed Mar. 27, 2020 and titled “PERIPHERAL ENCLOSUREMECHANISM FOR A FLEXIBLE DISPLAY DEVICE.” The entire contents of theabove-referenced applications are incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to computing devices, and moreparticularly, to a computing device with a touch screen display that canbe folded from a compact state to an expanded state

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of handheld computing devices today has been significantlyenabled by a number of advancements in electronics, including theminiaturization of components, an increase in processing speeds,improved memory capacity, and the optimization of battery efficiency.Advancements in touch screen display technology have also enabledinterfaces to become more adaptable and intuitive to use on a smallscale. Because of these enormous improvements over the last decade, thedifferences in the performance between handheld computing devices, suchas mobile phones, and larger computing devices, have become increasinglysubtle.

One of the great difficulties in using a small-scale touch screendevice, however, is in the fact that it can often be cumbersome tophysically interact with. This is especially apparent when selecting andmanipulating features and inputting text, which can sometimes beimprecise for a user. In such handheld computing devices as a touchscreen mobile phone, the limited size of the display can alsosignificantly reduce the viewing capacity while watching videos, usinggraphic-intensive applications, and reading text. The rigid nature of astandard touch screen display can also limit the portability of a devicewhen its form factor is in the larger size range for a phone, or at thescale of a tablet, which makes folding a desirable feature.Additionally, because a radius is required along the folding axis of aflexible display when it is in a folded state, a wedge-shaped foldedconfiguration is typically required for the display to retain itsfunctionality. However, this can leave a gap along the side of thedevice where dirt and debris can access the display when the device isconfigured in its folded state, which can potentially cause damage tothe display.

There is therefore a need for touch screen display devices that can beadjusted in size without sacrificing the convenience of being small andhandheld. There is also a need for a peripheral enclosure at the sidesof a foldable device that can close the gap between each flexibledisplay segment without comprising the functionality of the display orincreasing the thickness of the device and limiting the available spaceinside for components.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

A foldable touch screen display device with a flexible display made upof segments that can be folded from a compact state to an expanded statewhich also includes a peripheral enclosure mechanism. The form factor ofthe compact state is roughly the size of a typical handheld phone orsmaller. The form factor of the expanded state is roughly the size of alarger phone or tablet computer, which may also include the mechanicalfunctionality of a laptop. Both states may include an integrated speakerand microphone. The peripheral enclosure mechanism can be automaticallyrepositioned to rotate out of a channel as the device is being folded insuch a way that it can close the gap between two flexible displaysegments when the device is fully configured to a folded state. Thedevice may further include sensors to indicate the state ofconfiguration and mechanisms for alignment, locking, and furtherstructural support. In one embodiment, a module attached to, situatedwithin, or otherwise associated with at least one segment of theflexible display or rigid display may contain all or substantially allprocessing and memory, along with a communications system, which may beused in any state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed outand distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification.The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation,together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best beunderstood by reference to the following detailed description when readwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a foldable computing device ina folded state with its peripheral enclosure panels and drive mechanismshown exploded outward at the sides of the device;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a folding sequence for the foldablecomputing device shown in FIG. 1 where the peripheral enclosure panelsand its drive mechanism are shown automatically retracting into channelsalong the device's edges in conjunction with the device's hinge as thedevice transitions from a folded state to an unfolded state;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the folding sequence for the foldable computingshown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 where the peripheral enclosure panels areshown rotating out of their respective channels along the device's edgesto close the gap between flexible display segments as the devicetransitions from an unfolded state to a folded state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention.However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that thepresent invention may be practiced without these specific details. Inother instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have notbeen described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.

Although embodiments of the invention are not limited in this regard,discussions utilizing terms such as, for example, “processing,”“computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” “establishing”, “analyzing”,“checking”, or the like, may refer to operation(s) and/or process(es) ofa computer, a computing platform, a computing system, or otherelectronic computing device, that manipulates and/or transforms datarepresented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantities within thecomputer's registers and/or memories into other data similarlyrepresented as physical quantities within the computer's registersand/or memories or other information non-transitory storage medium thatmay store instructions to perform operations and/or processes. Althoughembodiments of the invention are not limited in this regard, the terms“plurality” and “a plurality” as used herein may include, for example,“multiple” or “two or more”. The terms “plurality” or “a plurality” maybe used throughout the specification to describe two or more components,devices, elements, units, parameters, or the like. Unless explicitlystated, the method embodiments described herein are not constrained to aparticular order or sequence. Additionally, some of the described methodembodiments or elements thereof can occur or be performedsimultaneously, at the same point in time, or concurrently.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , a foldablecomputing device 11 is illustrated in a folded, compact state with afirst flexible display segment structure 35 and a second flexibledisplay segment structure 31 folded against each other through hinge 50,which is situated between both segment structures. Peripheral enclosurepanels 19 and 15 are shown exploded outward from the sides of the devicewith their respective panel drive links 59 and 57 shown at the base ofthe device. Panel drive links 59 and 57 rotate within respective holessituated inside of hinge 50 so that they can pivot to drive peripheralenclosure panels 19 and 15 and their integrated slot to retract withinchannels created by segment structures 35 and 31 and their attachedhousing shells 39 and 38 as the device in unfolded to an open, expandedstate. These same panel drive links 59 and 57 also push their respectiveperipheral enclosure panels 19 and 15 partially out of segmentstructures 35 and 31 and their attached housing shells 39 and 38 as thedevice is configured to a closed state. It is important to note that aslot is also included along the internal side of each of the peripheralenclosure panels 19 and 15, which engages with a pin situated at the topend of each of the panel drive links 59 and 57. As the device is folded,the pin at the top of each of the peripheral enclosure panels 19 and 15forces each of the peripheral enclosure panels 19 and 15 to move inwardand outward from segment structures 35 and 31 and their attached housingshells 39 and 38. A pivot point at the top of each of the peripheralenclosure panels 19 and 15 allows the panels to deploy from segmentstructures 35 and 31 and their attached housing shells 39 and 38 on anangle to cover the same angle geometry of the gap that sits betweensegment structures 35 and 31 when the device is in a folded state. Thismechanism used for guiding the motion of peripheral enclosure panels 19and 15 can be seen with greater detail in FIG. 2 . A second set ofperipheral enclosure panels 17 and 18 also sit on the opposite side ofthe device to close the gap that is situated between flexible displaysegments structures 35 and 31 as the device is configured to a foldedstate. Just as panel drive links 59 and 57 force peripheral enclosurepanels 19 and 15 to deploy and retract segment structures 35 and 31 andtheir attached housing shells 39 and 38 as the device is unfolded andfolded, a second set of panel drive links 53 and 55 force peripheralenclosure panels 17 and 18 to deploy and retract from segment structures35 and 31 and their attached housing shells 33 and 37 as the device isunfolded and folded.

FIG. 2 shows a motion sequence diagram of the same components shown inFIG. 1 , but in full assembly to illustrate how the mechanism can driveperipheral enclosure panels 15 and 19 to retract and deploy fromflexible display segment structures 35 and 31 as the device is unfoldedand folded. The motion sequence is shown in three states, which includesa folded state at the top, a partially unfolded state in the middle, anda fully unfolded state at the bottom. As previously described for FIG. 1a slot is included along the internal side of each of the peripheralenclosure panels 19 and 15, which engages with a pin situated at the topend of each of the panel drive links 59 and 57. As the device is folded,the pin at the top of each of the peripheral enclosure panels 19 and 15forces each of the peripheral enclosure panels 19 and 15 to move inwardand outward from segment structures 35 and 31. In this particular motionsequence, panel drive links 57 and 59 are shown forcing peripheralenclosure panels 15 and 19 to be deployed from segment structures 35 and31 as the pins situated at the top of each of the panel drive links 57and 59 move along the slots integrated with peripheral enclosure panels15 and 19 as the device is configured to an unfolded state such thatperipheral enclosure panels 15 and 19 are retracted and hidden withinthe edges of the device.

FIG. 3 shows the same motion sequence transition from FIG. 2 , but froman unfolded state to a folded state where the side of the device isshown with peripheral enclosure panels 15 and 19 being deployed inwardtowards the center of the gap which is situated between flexible displaysegment structures 30 and 35 such that dirt and debris cannot enter intothe sides of the device when it is positioned in a folded state. Itshould be noted that while this embodiment shows peripheral enclosurepanels 15 and 19 that are automatically adjusted into positions as thedevice folds and unfolds, these same peripheral enclosure panels 15 and19 could also be manually moved into a deployed state to close the gapbetween flexible display segment structures 30 and 35 when the device isin a folded position, and then manually moved to a retracted positionwith flexible display segment structures 30 and 35 when the device is anunfolded state such that they are protruding from the edge of thedevice.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: (a) a flexibletouch-sensitive display comprising a first flexible touch-sensitivedisplay portion and a second flexible touch-sensitive display portion;wherein: (1) the first flexible touch-sensitive display portion isattached to a first structural support segment; (2) the second flexibletouch-sensitive display portion is attached to a second structuralsupport segment; (3) the flexible touch-sensitive display furtherincludes a fully folded state; (4) the flexible touch-sensitive displayfurther includes a partially expanded state; and (5) the flexibletouch-sensitive display further includes a fully expanded state; and (b)a peripheral enclosure panel integrated with at least one structuralsupport segment such that the peripheral enclosure panel can be moved toprovide a seal along at least one edge of the apparatus when theapparatus is configured in a fully folded state, wherein the peripheralenclosure panel is held in a retracted position within a housing shellconnected to at least one edge of the structural support segment whenthe device is in a fully expanded state; and the peripheral enclosurepanel is deployable from the housing shell when the device is in a fullyfolded state.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the housing shellcovers at least a majority of the full side length of the edge of thestructural support segment that the housing shell is connected to. 3.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the peripheral enclosure panel spansat least a majority of the full length of the edge of the structuralsupport segment that the housing shell is connected to.
 4. The apparatusof claim 1 wherein: the housing shell includes at least two primarywalls; a first wall situated perpendicular to the face of the flexibletouch-sensitive display and structural support segment that the housingshell is connected to, and a second wall situated parallel to the faceof the flexible touch-sensitive display and structural support segmentthat the housing shell is connected to.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1wherein: the first wall and the second wall of the housing shell areconnected at a perpendicular angle to each other.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein: the peripheral enclosure panel includes a first pinsituated on a first face of the peripheral enclosure.
 7. The apparatusof claim 1 wherein: the peripheral enclosure panel includes a second pinsituated on a second face of the peripheral enclosure.
 8. The apparatusof claim 6 wherein: the housing shell includes at least one slot thatthe first pin of the peripheral enclosure panel can engage with suchthat the peripheral enclosure panel can slide in and out of the housingshell.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein: the structural supportsegment includes at least one slot that the second pin of the peripheralenclosure panel can engage with such that the peripheral enclosure panelcan slide in and out of the housing shell.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1wherein: the structural support segment connected to the housing shellincludes a drive link with at least one pin.
 11. The apparatus of claim10 wherein: the peripheral enclosure panel includes at least one slotthat the pin of the drive link can engage with such that the peripheralenclosure panel is driven to be retracted into the housing shell ordeployed from the housing shell.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:the peripheral enclosure panel is configured to be moved manually whenthe apparatus is in a fully folded state or a fully expanded state. 13.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the peripheral enclosure panel isconfigured to move automatically as the apparatus is folded or unfolded.14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the peripheral enclosure panelincludes a first peripheral enclosure panel integrated with the firststructural support segment, and a second peripheral enclosure panelintegrated with the second structural support segment such that bothperipheral enclosure panels can move to provide a seal along the sameedge of the apparatus when the apparatus is in a folded state.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein: the fully folded state comprises a fullyfolded angle between the first flexible touch-sensitive display portionand the second flexible touch-sensitive display portion that is lessthan 10 degrees; and the fully expanded state comprises a fully expandedangle between the first flexible touch-sensitive display portion and thesecond flexible touch-sensitive display portion that is between 170 and190 degrees; and the partially expanded state comprises an angle thatfalls between the fully folded state and the fully expanded state.